It is no longer news that Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané will battle it out in the final of the 2021 edition of the African Cup of Nations, currently being held in Cameroon.
Both players have been among the world’s best players in the past few years playing for Liverpool in Europe. Mane, however, has been more fortunate on the home front as Senegal have held on to the top spot in the African power rankings for three years in a row.
WE HAVE A MANE VS SALAH FINAL ?pic.twitter.com/agrMTufgwj
— Jamie?? (@RobertsonSZN26) February 3, 2022
But Salah’s Egypt remains the true African powerhouse as they are record winners of the AFCON tournament. with seven titles to their name. This is what makes the upcoming final at the Olembe stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon, one of the biggest games in African football.
Egypt currently sit in fourth place in the African power rankings and the upcoming final is their opportunity to reclaim their position as African football royalty, true to their “Pharaohs” team moniker.
It could also have serious implications on the major football awards in 2022, with both players set for successful seasons with Liverpool.
Egypt and Senegal to Battle for World Cup Spot After Afcon
One of either Salah or Mané could also be breaking the other’s heart twice, or could be getting revenge on the other a few weeks after the AFCON title is decided.
Both nations have been drawn to face each other in the third round of the CAF FIFA World Cup qualifier matches which will be played all across the continent in March.
This could also be great for Liverpool’s hopes this season. Salah has scored 16 goals in the league and Mane has scored eight, figures which could have been slightly more if both players didn’t have to leave for the AFCON tournament.
Mané is also the reigning African player of the year, winning the award for the first time after coming in as runner-up to Salah two years in a row. The Senegal forward will be looking to catch up to and one-up his Liverpool teammate, who is currently considered a favourite for the top awards of 2022.
Mané, however, will have to beat Salah in the Final of the AFCON to give Senegal their first ever continental title and also deny Egypt again in March from reaching the World Cup finals in Qatar.
Sunday’s final is indeed the biggest game on the continent of Africa.